HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2486

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to sunset provisions.

Brief Description:  Delaying or repealing specified sunset provisions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ogden, Silver, Fuhrman, Valle, Sommers, Chandler, Brough, Dyer, Talcott, Forner, Long and Wood; by request of Legislative Budget Committee.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, January 25, 1994, DP;

Appropriations, February 3, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 11, 1994, 91-0.

Amended by Senate;

  Conference Committee Report adopted;

  Passed Legislature, March 9, 1994, 95-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; L. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives Sommers, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Foreman; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Leonard; Linville; H. Myers; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry and Wolfe.

Staff:  Pam Madson (786-7148).

Background:  The Asian-American Affairs Commission was established in 1972 by executive order, and in 1974 by the Legislature, to advocate for the concerns and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Washington state.  The 12-member commission advises the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies on desirable changes in programs and the law, and on program implementation.  The commission also conducts educational activities and publishes resource information.  The commission is scheduled to sunset in 1996.

In 1949, the Legislature established the Human Rights Commission to carry out the provisions of the Washington Law Against Discrimination.  The commission investigates complaints alleging unfair practices and state agency noncompliance with affirmative action rules.  The five- member commission also formulates anti-discrimination policies and makes recommendations to state and local government agencies on such policies.  The commission is authorized to conduct technical studies and educational programs.  The commission is scheduled to sunset in 1996.

The office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (MWBE) was established in 1983 to provide for increased participation by minority and women-owned businesses in state contracting and purchasing.  The office certifies MWBE firms, monitors compliance with the law, investigates complaints, sets annual participation goals, and conducts informational and educational programs.  The office has a 21-member advisory committee to assist in policy development.  The office is scheduled to sunset in 1995.

The State Fire Protection Policy Board was created in 1986 to develop a comprehensive state policy regarding fire protection services.  The duties of the 10-member board include the adoption of a state fire protection master plan, adoption of a state fire training and education master plan and training standards, development of plans regarding the construction and operation of training facilities, and the development of arson control programs.  The board is scheduled to sunset in 1996.

In 1947, the Washington School Directors' Association was established to coordinate programs and procedures pertaining to policy-making, control, and management of school districts.  The 15-member association is funded from membership dues.  It is scheduled to sunset in 1998.

In 1993, the Legislature enacted the Linked Deposit Program to provide an incentive for financial institutions to make loans to minority and women-owned businesses at reduced rates.  The program has not yet been implemented, but is scheduled to sunset in 1996.

According to the Legislative Budget Committee, sunset or other oversight reviews have previously been conducted for the Asian-American Affairs Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, and the Washington School Directors' Association. 

Summary of Bill:  The sunset reviews and termination dates for the following offices, boards, commissions, and associations are repealed:  The Asian-American Affairs Commission; the Human Rights Commission; the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises; the State Fire Protection Policy Board; and the Washington School Directors' Association.  

The sunset of the Linked Deposit Program is moved from 1996 to 2000.  The Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship Program is extended until June 30, 1995.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (State Government) The Legislative Budget Committee has other pressing mandates relating to health care reform and other issues.  With limited resources, we need to be selective in conducting these time and resource consuming reviews.  The Office of Financial Management does not oppose this bill.  We have already reviewed most of these programs (Representative Val Ogden).  The School Director's Association is self-funding and has already been reviewed (Larry Swift).

(Appropriations) None.

Testimony Against:  (State Government) None.

(Appropriations) None.

Witnesses:  (State Government) Representative Val Ogden, prime sponsor (pro); and Larry Swift, Washington State School Directors' Association (pro).

(Appropriations) None.